Choosing a college degree is a significant investment in time, money, and effort. As the job market evolves, some degrees that once promised secure career paths no longer yield the returns they once did. With tuition costs soaring, it’s crucial to weigh the potential financial outcomes of your chosen field of study. In 2025, some degrees have emerged as having particularly poor returns on investment (ROI). Here is a list of the top 15 degrees with the worst ROI, helping prospective students make informed decisions.
1. Culinary Arts
The Culinary Arts degree, while passion-driven and creative, often leads to careers with low starting salaries and limited upward mobility. Graduates typically face steep initial tuition fees with median earnings far below those of other professions. The industry’s competitive nature means that many find themselves in positions with little job security or benefits. Additionally, the rise of automation and changing dining habits continue to impact job availability. Prospective students should consider these factors, as passion may not always align with financial stability.
2. Fashion Design
Fashion Design is an industry known for its glamour and creativity, but it offers limited job opportunities, especially for newcomers. Graduates often contend with highly competitive job markets in major cities where the cost of living can be prohibitive. The unpredictable nature of fashion trends also means career longevity can be uncertain. ROI is further diminished by the high cost of specialized materials and the need for continuous professional development to stay relevant. Aspiring designers must be prepared for the challenges of turning a fashion degree into a profitable career.
3. Communications
A degree in Communications offers versatility in career options but often fails to provide a high financial return immediately after graduation. The broad nature of the field can dilute the applicant pool, making it harder to secure well-paying positions without further specialization or experience. Many roles in this field have been impacted by digital transformation, which favors more technically skilled candidates. Moreover, the proliferation of digital platforms has suppressed wages in traditional media roles. Students interested in this field should seek practical experience and possibly additional certifications.
4. Anthropology
Anthropology is fascinating and enriches our understanding of human cultures and histories, but it ranks low for ROI. The academic path it requires often leads to limited job openings outside of teaching or research, which are themselves highly competitive and poorly funded sectors. Most anthropologists end up pursuing PhDs to improve their employment prospects, further increasing their initial investment. Practical application of this degree in the business or public sector often requires additional qualifications. Those passionate about this field should consider dual degrees or complementary certifications.
5. Art History
Art History is intellectually rewarding and offers deep insights into the cultural fabric of societies. However, it struggles to translate into direct, lucrative employment opportunities. Jobs in museums, galleries, and auction houses are highly competitive and often do not compensate well relative to the education required. Many art historians supplement their income with academia or consulting, which requires further education and time. Enthusiasts should consider this degree a pathway to personal fulfillment rather than financial gain.
6. Music
Pursuing a degree in Music can be deeply fulfilling for those passionate about their craft, yet it is notorious for its poor financial returns. The music industry is highly competitive, with many musicians struggling to find steady income through performances or teaching positions. Moreover, the shift towards streaming services has significantly reduced earnings from traditional revenue sources like album sales and downloads. Those committed to a career in music should diversify their skills and perhaps explore music technology or production as supplementary fields.
7. Theatre
Theatre graduates often face an extremely competitive job market, with few opportunities for stable employment. Many find themselves working sporadically, with gaps between jobs that can lead to financial instability. Despite the passion many theatre professionals have, the field is notorious for low pay, especially in entry-level positions. Additional skills in directing, producing, or writing can help, but the financial payoff may still be limited. Aspiring theatre professionals should have a backup plan or consider dual specializations.
8. Film Studies
Film Studies graduates enter a field undergoing significant transformation due to digital media advancements. While there are opportunities in new media, traditional film roles are increasingly hard to come by. The investment in film school can be substantial, with no guarantee of a corresponding payoff in terms of salary or job stability. Networking and continuous skill development are crucial in this industry, but even those may not lead to a satisfactory return financially.
9. Philosophy
Philosophy is a critical field that sharpens analytical and critical thinking skills, but it often lacks direct paths to lucrative careers. Many philosophy graduates find themselves pursuing careers in education, law, or other fields that require additional degrees. The academic market is saturated, and outside of academia, the practical applications that offer high compensation are limited. Students passionate about philosophy are often advised to pair their studies with more marketable skills or fields.
10. Creative Writing
While a degree in Creative Writing can help hone one’s craft and storytelling abilities, it does not typically lead to high-paying jobs. The market for book authors and freelance writers is oversaturated, and the gig nature of much of the work leads to financial unpredictability. Additionally, the rise of content marketing has increased opportunities, but these often do not offer high salaries or job security. Aspiring writers should cultivate a diverse set of writing skills and consider complementary careers in editing, publishing, or digital content creation.
11. Psychology (Bachelor’s Only)
A bachelor’s degree in psychology is often just the beginning of what needs to be a lengthy educational journey to lucrative employment in this field. Clinical positions, which are well-compensated, generally require at least a master’s degree, making the ROI of just the undergraduate degree low. Many graduates with a bachelor’s in psychology find themselves in unrelated fields or pursuing additional qualifications. This degree can be a stepping stone, but it requires a long-term investment in education to be financially rewarding.
12. Sociology
Sociology offers valuable insights into social systems and behaviors but translating these into a high-paying career can be challenging without further specialization. The academic and research opportunities typically associated with sociology do not often result in high salaries, and many roles are in non-profit or government sectors, which may offer lower pay. Like anthropology, practical application in higher-paying corporate roles often requires additional business-oriented skills or qualifications.
13. English
An English degree fosters critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills, but these often do not translate directly into well-paying jobs. The traditional roles of teaching and writing are available, but they are not typically among the higher-paying career paths. The digital era has opened new opportunities in content creation and marketing, but these are highly competitive and may not offer substantial financial returns without additional skills or experience.
14. History
History degrees provide a profound understanding of the world’s past events and dynamics, yet they face similar challenges to other liberal arts fields in terms of monetization. Careers in academia, museums, or archival work are common but often do not offer high salaries compared to the cost of education. History graduates may need to pursue additional qualifications or roles in education, research, or consultancy to find financial stability.
15. Hospitality and Tourism
Despite the allure of working in travel and tourism, degrees in Hospitality and Tourism often do not pay off financially. The industry was hit hard by global events like pandemics and economic downturns, and many positions offer low starting salaries and require working hours that are both long and unconventional. Advancement in this field can be slow and often requires hands-on experience, which may be difficult to obtain in unstable economic times.
Reflecting on the Investment in Education
Choosing a degree is more critical now than ever, with the landscape of employment and education constantly evolving. While passion is a significant driver in selecting a field of study, financial returns are an equally important consideration, especially with rising education costs. If your degree of interest appears on this list, consider ways to enhance your employability through internships, additional certifications, or dual degrees. Remember, informed decisions lead to better career satisfaction and financial outcomes.
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Latrice is a dedicated professional with a rich background in social work, complemented by an Associate Degree in the field. Her journey has been uniquely shaped by the rewarding experience of being a stay-at-home mom to her two children, aged 13 and 5. This role has not only been a testament to her commitment to family but has also provided her with invaluable life lessons and insights.
As a mother, Latrice has embraced the opportunity to educate her children on essential life skills, with a special focus on financial literacy, the nuances of life, and the importance of inner peace.